Gov. John Kasich called his meetings with the Detroit Three automakers this week “very sobering” and “in some ways very disturbing,” with two of the three blunt in their assessment of Ohio’s business climate.

He added, “We are not viewed in that community as the most forward-looking state.”

Kasich and a delegation that included Ohio State University President Gordon Gee attended the North American International Auto Show in Detroit Wednesday and met with representatives of General Motors, Chrysler and Ford.

Kasich did not specify which two of the three automakers expressed the negative remarks, but The Toledo Blade reported today that the governor had met privately with executives from GM and Chrysler.

But Kasich voiced concern about Ohio’s stature among the automakers, and said the state needs to move now to revamp its job-training and other programs.

“This is a very serious matter,” Kasich said. “It involves taxes, it involves regulations, it involves being able to respond to their concerns, it involves what you do with an EPA, it involves what you do with all types of regulation and job training.”

He added, “I told them yesterday we are open for business. And they looked at me and said, ‘Thank God.’ ”

Comments

Regulations what would the Emperor know about that ! Guess that's what Mich wants. Well Ohio is different from the foes from the North. And the EPA doesn't regulate Mich? And taking the OSU president to the meeting. What's the president going to do tell them how to bolt to the North ? Can't wait for the Emperor exit in four years!

Thank God that Marc Kovac was there so now we all can be aware of how we stand as a state in the eyes of the automakers. Kasich already refused big money to develop a high speed rail system - the automakers should be happy about that.

It also tells you Republican haters exactly what Teddy and Timmy have been up to as far as "creating jobs". All they want to do is have you believe they saved GM Lordstown and were responsible for the V&M expansion. One joker gone , one is entrenched due to the blind faith Democrats of the Valley. Criticize the elected Governor before he has had a chance to do anything.

I am also going to start calling Governor Kasich "Johnny" as so many people in these threads refer to Democratic elected officials by the diminutive versions of their first names. Cause that's how I roll.

Since John is courting the car manufacturing CEOs, the reason why he rejected the federal money for high speed rail is clear.

Keep the rail out of Ohio, invest in roads, and keep the cars acomin'.

Unfortunately, this will actually be our downfall. We will be behind not only the other highly developed countries of the world (which we already are), but Ohio will be behind the states that have already understood why high speed rail is inevitable and necessary to compete in the future.

Oh please lily, don't be so ruthless, you are scaring us, calling the governor John. Oh well, I refer to someone as obowser. We promise to be nice from now on but I will still call whatshisface obowser!!!

palbubba, But it's alright for your your worthless mouth to do it to Ted when he was elected. And bubba who got the money for Lordstown and V&M steel ? Johnny returned money for a rail system that was IGNORANT ! And we know what he is about. Just look at his record in Congress, and KEEP PAYING for his Wall Street behavior fool ! You people must have rode the short bus to school. Cause you just don't get it !!